Gray closed her eyes in resignation, a sob breaking free despite her effort to stifle it. After the first one broke free, she didn’t try anymore. Her shoulders shook as she gave into reality, each sob ripping me open more and more. “I love you.” I melded my lips with hers, coated in black blood. I absorbed her salty tears, taking anything of hers that I could. I felt her air shield go up, then I reached down the bond we shared and added my newfound strength to it.
